CHAPTER 27 — PHASE FOUR
Rebecca’s backdoor restored part of the Gray Tide database.
A file labeled PHASE FOUR appeared.
The plan was more detailed than any of them expected.
First, Claire would publicly challenge Gray Tide’s ownership using Lily’s genetic claim.
Second, Sarah would use Claire’s criminal charges to have her declared unfit.
Third, Lily would be placed under Sarah’s guardianship.
Once the Vane trust regained North Harbor, Olivia’s baby would be registered as Claire’s second child.
Lily would no longer be necessary.
Claire closed the file.
“What does that mean?”
Daniel looked away.
“It means Sarah can preserve one heir and erase the other.”
Cole grabbed him by the collar.
“Where is my daughter?”
“I do not know which facility Sarah chose.”
“You worked for her.”
“Until three hours ago.”
Mason examined the memory card.
“There is a location code hidden in the medical schedule.”
Dana found it.
County Family Court.
A hearing had been scheduled for the next morning.
Sarah had already petitioned for emergency custody of Lily.
“They cannot hold a hearing without notifying me,” Claire said.
“They notified the address where you no longer live,” Daniel replied.
“They cannot prove Sarah is related to Lily.”
“She has Aaron’s paternity report and her own DNA registry.”
Cole looked at the copied test.
“We never gave Sarah this.”
Mason’s expression changed.
“Someone inside this room did.”
Everyone turned toward Peter.
He shook his head.
“I did not.”
Elaine searched the medical testing kit.
A transmitter had been hidden beneath the casing.
The volunteer doctor who tested Cole had delivered the results directly to Sarah.
Claire felt trapped from every direction.
“We go to court,” she said.
“You are wanted,” Dana reminded her.
“Then I walk in and make them arrest me in front of every camera.”
Sarah expected Claire to hide.
Claire decided to do the opposite.
Before dawn, Rebecca’s hacking network released a fragment of Margaret’s testimony to three journalists.
It was not enough to prove Gray Tide’s entire conspiracy.
It was enough to attract the press.
Hundreds of reporters gathered outside the courthouse.
Claire entered through the front doors holding Lily’s hand.
Cole walked beside them.
Mason remained across the street.
He could not risk being identified before the hearing.
Sarah waited inside.
Olivia sat beside her.
Rebecca was nowhere in sight.
Olivia looked pale.
A security officer stood behind her chair.
Sarah approached Lily.
“Good morning, sweetheart.”
Lily stepped behind Claire.
The judge entered.
Sarah’s attorney presented the paternity results, the Vane registry, and edited hospital footage.
Claire’s attorney had disappeared that morning.
Cole tried to speak.
The judge ordered him silent.
Claire submitted the memory card.
The court clerk inserted it into a computer.
Every file had been erased.
Sarah looked surprised.
Daniel whispered from the back row, “That was not her.”
The judge issued the emergency order.
“Until the criminal investigation is resolved, Lily Bennett will be placed in the temporary custody of her biological grandmother, Sarah Vane.”
Claire stood.
“No.”
Officers surrounded her.
Lily began crying.
“You cannot take her.”
Sarah knelt.
“Come with me, Lily.”
Lily clung to Claire.
The officers separated them.
Cole tried to intervene.
He was arrested for assaulting a court officer.
Claire fought until she saw Sarah’s security guard place a hand inside his jacket.
A weapon.
Aimed at Lily.
Claire stopped resisting.
Sarah took Lily’s hand.
As Lily was led away, she looked back at Claire.
“Mommy!”
“I’m coming for you!”
Lily reached into her pocket and dropped a folded piece of paper.
Claire picked it up after the doors closed.
It contained a drawing of Room Nine.
May you like
Beneath it, Lily had written:
THERE IS ANOTHER DOOR.
